Former Detroit Tigers catcher Brad Ausmus is a hot name in media speculation about possible candidates to
fill the open spot as manager of the Detroit Tigers. In fact, at
least one Las Vegas bookmaker installed him as the favorite to get the
job.

Whether or not he's the most likely man for the job, Ausmus is not talking about it. At least not publicly.

Ausmus, currently a special assistant for the San Diego Padres, declined to comment on the managerial vacancy Wednesday afternoon through a spokesperson for the Padres.

It could be interesting seeing how the process plays out and how it is affected by the fact that the Tigers reached the American League Championship Series. Other teams that are searching for new managers are further into the process than the Tigers.

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski has known since early September that Jim Leyland would not return in 2014, but he couldn't openly start talking to candidates about the position until after Leyland announced his retirement Monday at a press conference at Comerica Park.